Chioma Ifemeludike is the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election. In this exclusive interview with Chinedum Elekwachi, the movie actress bares her mind on what informed her decision to run for the exalted seat in the state and how she intends to achieve the feat.
Core Truth: What informed your decision to run for the office of the governor?
Ifemeludike: I’ve been an activist. I was a unionist and Comrade while in school as a strong member of National Association of Nigerians Students (NANS). Apart from studying Political Science, I’ve always been an advocate of good governance. All these stem from foundation of advocacy, humanitarian and genuine love for the best for my people.
I decided to go for the office because of the saying that “evil thrives when good people keep silence”. I also think providence made it happen because I feel this is the appointed time. Even before I became the Guber candidate, I was Chairperson of my party. While holding that office, I transversed the rural areas not knowing most of the works I was doing will turn around to work in my advantage.
At that point, it became obvious that someone will be the flagbearer of the party. The party saw me trustworthy to represent them; moreso, being a woman with strong passion for community development. That was how I became the party candidate after the primary. Even though I was elected unopposed, but the election was supervised by INEC. Based on the relationship I have built over time, it was not difficult to mobilize people and they unanimously voted for me to represent the party.
Expensive life endeavour
Core Truth: How did you raise funds for purchase of nomination form and for your campaign so far?
Ifemeludike: Yes, my party pegged its nomination form at N2million for governorship position. But because our chairman is an advocate as well and because of gender, I asked for a waiver and it was granted. Upon the waiver, I didn’t have money, having exhausted a lot while I was the Chairperson. Even the N25,000 I was asked to pay, someone paid that for me. That’s the kind of party we’re building.
That’s why on the advert fee by Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), I led a protest and we were able to engage with the Agency and the management said that the female and youth candidates are exempted from the fee. But we faulted it with the media. First, when the press release came, they didn’t include the waiver in it. They should have informed the public so we should also know.
Anyway, they said they were still discussing, even up till the time INEC flagged off campaign, they haven’t written us. For us, that’s an infringement on our rights. In-fact, as we speak, we don’t have any bill board or posters because we don’t even know what to pay. The ANSAA management worked out on us that day. But we’re working on a strategy which we tagged, “Talent Discovery Campaign” which implies going door-to-door or if you like one-on-one campaign and also raising young people to be part of our campaign train and empowering them as we go on. We can’t be deterred in any way.
Power of young people
Core Truth: Do you think that strategy is strong enough to give you the publicity you need to win?
Ifemeludike: It may, it may not. But you can’t underate nor undermine the power of young people and the power of talents. So, we have our hopes high and believe we can. What these people have done is to take our power but we can’t just keep complaining, but rather device other means and be creative. That’s why we’re young people and show them that as much as they try to frustrate us, we can spring surprises through another angle and still be at the top. All the same, we’ve not given up with ANSA.
Core Truth: Are there other challenges confronting you, especially navigating the male-dominated space?
Ifemeludike: As a strong person, I don’t always look at my limitations, even when they’re obviously glaring at me. Financing is one of our major challenges. Just as you know, the cost of campaigning has become a culture. That’s why we have to spend more time engaging the people because these politicians have polluted the minds of our people. They only want to take from us, without minding to know what we plan doing through our manifesto.
All they’re interested in is what we can offer to them in terms of cash. Even though we approach these people, but we don’t succumb to their pressure because we know the damages such demands do to our society. That’s why we’re devising this creative means of running our campaign. We intend to play a full tournament where the winner will go home with a million naira.
The teams will be made up of children between 14 to 20 years. Whatever money we’re going to spend has to be something they’ve worked for. Not entitlement mentality. This of course, involves mental work because you’re thinking outside the box and creating new ideas out of nothing.
Support from church
Core Truth: As a committed member of your church, one expects you to leverage on that platform, knowing the critical role religion plays in politics?
Ifemeludike: For me, I’m not really satisfied with the way the church leadership has carried on with my interest to run. I think I’m a devoted member and should deserve some level of support, with the mind they should live up to expectations. However, I can’t say I’ve not enjoyed support from individuals that make up the church. Besides, everything can’t be money. They call me and as well pray for me. The prayers are even more important to me than the money. I can’t condemn everyone. I’m fine the way we’re going, however.
Core Truth: What gives you the confidence you’re going to win this election?
Ifemeludike: My goodwill, the passion that runs in my blood and desire to build a decent and virile society. You can’t undermine those virtues and energy. They can turn things around in a twinkle of an eye. You know how David changed the situation of Israel when they were challenged by the Philistines. Initially, nobody believed him until the day he proved himself and they just have to believe that there’s a supernatural power he possessed. I believe strongly that the God I serve will be with me to sail through.
Meanwhile, whatever the outcome is, I’ll take it because winning must not be at the ballot. I’m also here to show young women and youth that they can do what I’m doing as well. It may not be now that I’ll be governor. Nothing is cast on stone. But what is fundamental is for young people to be motivated and challenged by my courage. If I can do it, they can.
Women working against women
Core Truth: How do you react to the saying that women don’t vote for their female folk?
Ifemeludike: I think if women were able to connect in the right way with the people, they will achieve their dreams. It’s not just about women, it’s in the genuiness of what you represent. Like I said, I have something gunning for me which is my passion. It’s a resource I intend to utilize because it’s rare. I have a burning desire to serve the people and when people see the genuiness of it – be it woman or child, they’ll recognize and support it.
Core truth: What do you intend to do differently if you secure the seat of the governor?
Ifemeludike: First of all, there’s need for a revamp our security architecture. There should be some decisive measures. We need leaders who actually have intention in creating enabling environment and understand that security is tied to every other thing. Besides, security of lives and property is number one mandate of a leader. When the people are not safe, nothing can thrive.
Besides, they can’t security is not a rocket science, we need to lighten up our entire environment, we need technology. I agree that security in Nigeria is same with that overseas. But what the security operatives do to upturn the outcome is the difference. When there’s insecurity, and you get the culprit, you make sure you pin him.
By doing that, you’re showing people that if someone commits a crime, we hold them accountable and we see the public and media following up in the process of prosecution. That’s how you safeguard the society and attract investors knowing that people are held accountable for their actions no matter whose ox is gored.
But we keep seeing people commit all manner of crimes and are covered. It means people can easily take laws into their hands. That’s why jungle justice keep increasing
Ambition v marital status
Core Truth: Don’t you think this your tall ambition will scare men from you as a single lady?
For me, marriage is all about the right person at the right time. We always have the wrong notion about marriage, that’s why we have broken partnerships, you see marriages collapsing because of wrong foundation and mindset. Women want to get married because society wants them married or time is running out on them and then probably end up with the wrong person which shows later on.
Then, same people have kids who will innocently suffer the consequences on the long run. My mindset about marriage is totally different, and it’s not tied to leadership nor affect it. Even though it helps with discipline and control, not in the negative way, because partnership is important. But what I can’t compromise is to do something to please society or public validation.
I respect the family union so much as one of the units of society which God himself ordained. But I’m not going to go into it for the wrong reasons. Infact, when I’m close to it, I feel it’s because of pressure and it dissolves back. But I look forward to having a family where love, peace and everything godly should be visible.
My ambition can’t never hinder my marital ambition because you are what you attract. The kind of man I’ll attract is not the kind that will see me and feel insecure or threatened. God can never allow such after this time of waiting. I’m going to end up with a secured man who will appreciate how far I’ve gone in life and be proud of me.
